Following media interest in the progress of infrastructure development at Sir Seretse Khama Airport, the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana wishes to set the record straight.
The contract for the construction of the SSKA terminal building was awarded to Sinohydro Corporation Limited in April 2008. Construction was to be done in two phases in 23 months at a cost of P433.2 million. Works commenced in June 2008 and the project completion date was therefore May 2010. The project is behind schedule.
Phase I is the construction of the new terminal building just in front of the current terminal building. The first revised plan for Phase I was scheduled for completion in October 2009 and the overall completion of the entire project was March 2010. The second revised completion date for Phase I is now March 2010. This is when all operational areas such as domestic and international arrival and departure lounges, ticketing counters, baggage and retail areas as well as additional car parks will be in use. However, there is a transition period for transfer of operations (customs, immigration, security etc) from the current terminal building to the new facility which will take about a month.
Therefore use of the terminal building will begin around the end of April 2010.
Phase II of the project is the reconstruction of the current terminal building to a commercial area which will be merged with Phase I into one terminal building. Construction of Phase II will commence at the end of Phase I and is expected to be completed by October 2010.
The original plan was to have the full terminal building completed before the FIFA 2010 World Cup but it is no longer possible for the contractor to do so.
Due to delays, the original target completion dates will not be achieved but the terminal building will be operational since Phase I of the building will be available. It is worth stating that the contractor is working around the clock to have the facility available for such operations. Only the new terminal building (Phase 1) will be complete by the time the FIFA 2010 World Cup comes to South Africa.
*Dan Peke is Public Affairs Manager of the Civil Aviation Authority
